Subshrubs, 50-75 cm tall, rhizomatous, densely gray pubescent. Lower and middle stem leaves ± sessile; leaf blade ovate, 2-4 × 1.5-3 cm, pinnatisect; segments 2 pairs, linear-lanceolate, 15-20 × 1-1.5(-2) mm. Uppermost leaves 3-5-sect; leaflike bracts 3-sect or entire. Synflorescence a narrow panicle, branches very short, to 5 mm, sometimes branching from lower nodes to form large panicle. Involucre subglobose, 2-2.5 mm in diam. Marginal female florets 2 or 3. Disk florets 4-8, male. Achenes minute. Fl. and fr. Sep-Nov.